Zoom lens and imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

The zoom lens includes, in order from the object side: a first lens group G 1  that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group Ge that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming. At least one movable lens group has a negative refractive power. The first lens group G 1  has an image side positive lens, which is a positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side, and one or more positive lenses which are disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens. The zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions relating to the image side positive lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2016/081133 filed on Oct. 20, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-013136 filed on Jan. 27, 2016. Each of the above application(s) is hereby expressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety, into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a zoom lens suitable for movie imaging cameras, broadcast cameras, digital cameras, video cameras, and surveillance cameras, and to an imaging apparatus comprising the zoom lens.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, a zoom lens having a four-group configuration or a five-group configuration has been proposed as a lens system that can be used for cameras in the above-mentioned fields. For movie imaging cameras and broadcast cameras, the change in the total length of the lens system caused by zooming and the change in the angle of view caused by focusing are undesirable. Therefore, in most cases, the first lens group, which is a lens group closest to the object side in the zoom lens, is made to remain stationary during zooming, and focusing is performed by using the lenses in the first lens group during focusing. For example, JP2015-94866A and JP5777225B each disclose lens systems as zoom lenses of a four-group configuration or a five-group configuration. In each lens system, the first lens group includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens group that remains stationary during focusing, a positive lens group that moves during focusing, and a positive lens group that remains stationary during focusing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the past, in the lens system in which focusing is performed using the first lens group as described above, the first lens group tends to become large due to the focusing method. Meanwhile, in cameras in the above-mentioned field, it is desired that a higher-resolution image can be acquired with a higher zoom ratio. In order to obtain a high-resolution image, it is necessary to satisfactorily correct chromatic aberration of the lens system to be mounted. However, in a case where the configuration is intended to be applied, the number of lenses of the first lens group tends to be large, and this leads to an increase in size of the first lens group. There is a demand for a lens system which can be configured to have a small size by minimizing the number of lenses of the first lens group and in which a high zoom ratio and high performance are achieved.

However, in the lens system described in JP2015-94866A, the number of lenses of the first lens group is large and reduction in size is not achieved, or the zoom ratio is insufficient. Further, in the lens system described in JP2015-94866A, longitudinal chromatic aberration at the telephoto end is large in a case where the aperture diameter of the aperture stop is set to be constant over the entire zoom range. Therefore, in this lens system, there is a disadvantage that the axial marginal ray should be shielded by using a member other than the aperture stop in a part of the zoom range so as not to cause large longitudinal chromatic aberration. It is desired that the lens system described in JP5777225B has a higher zoom ratio in order to meet the recent demands.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situations, and its object is to provide a zoom lens which can be configured to have a small size while ensuring a high zoom ratio and has high optical performance by satisfactorily correcting chromatic aberration, and an imaging apparatus comprising the zoom lens.

A zoom lens of the present invention comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to an image plane during zooming; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during zooming. In the plurality of movable lens groups, at least one movable lens group has a negative refractive power. The first lens group has an image side positive lens, which is a positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side, and one or more positive lenses which are disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens. In addition, all Conditional Expressions (1) to (5) are satisfied. 0.25<fl/fz<0.7  (1) 55<νz<68  (2) 15<νmx−νz<50  (3) 2.395<Nz+0.012×νz  (4) 0.634<θgFz+0.001625×νz<0.647  (5)

Here, fl is a focal length of the first lens group,

fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens,

νz is an Abbe number of the image side positive lens at the d line,

νmx is an Abbe number of a positive lens, of which the Abbe number at the d line is at a maximum value, among positive lenses disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens,

Nz is a refractive index of the image side positive lens at the d line, and

θgFz is a partial dispersion ratio of the image side positive lens between the g line and the F line.

It is preferable that the zoom lens of the present invention satisfies Conditional Expression (6). 1.2<ft/fl<2.8  (6)

Here, ft is a focal length of the whole system at a telephoto end, and

fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

It is preferable that the zoom lens of the present invention satisfies Conditional Expression (7). 0.1<fw/fl<0.4  (7)

Here, fw is a focal length of the whole system at a wide-angle end, and

fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

In the zoom lens of the present invention, focusing may be performed by moving one or more lenses in the first lens group in the direction of the optical axis.

In the zoom lens of the present invention, it is preferable that in the plurality of movable lens groups, a movable lens group closest to the image side has a negative refractive power.

In the zoom lens of the present invention, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to include a lens group having a negative refractive power and a lens group having a negative refractive power. Alternatively, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to include, in order from the object side, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a lens group having a negative refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power. Alternatively, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to include, in order from the object side, a lens group having a negative refractive power, a lens group having a positive refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power.

The first lens group of the zoom lens of the present invention may be configured to include, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group that has a negative refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing, a first lens group intermediate group that has a positive refractive power and moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing, and a first lens group rear group that is set such that a distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group rear group and the first lens group intermediate group changes during focusing and has a positive refractive power.

In a case where the first lens group includes the three lens groups, it is preferable that Conditional Expression (8) is satisfied. 0.5<flc/fz<0.7  (8)

Here, flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group, and

fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens.

In a case where the first lens group includes the three lens groups, it is preferable that the first lens group front group has at least one negative lens that satisfies Conditional Expressions (9) and (10). 55<νn  (9) 0.635<θgFn+0.001625×νn<0.675  (10)

Here, νn is an Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group front group at the d line, and

θgFn is a partial dispersion ratio of the negative lens of the first lens group front group between the g line and the F line.

In a case where the first lens group includes the three lens groups, the first lens group rear group may be configured to have, successively in order from the object side, a cemented lens which is formed by cementing a negative lens and a positive lens in order from the object side, and a positive lens.

In a case where the first lens group includes the three lens groups, the first lens group rear group may be configured to remain stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing.

In the zoom lens of the present invention, instead of each of Conditional Expressions (1) to (3) and (6) to (8), it is more preferable that each of Conditional Expressions (1-1) to (3-1) and (6-1) to (8-1) is satisfied. 0.35<fl/fz<0.65  (1-1) 56<νz<65  (2-1) 30<νmx−νz<45  (3-1) 1.5<ft/fl<2.5  (6-1) 0.11<fw/fl<0.35  (7-1) 0.55<flc/fz<0.68  (8-1)

An imaging apparatus of the present invention comprises the zoom lens of the present invention.

In the present specification, it should be noted that the term “substantially consisting of ˜” and “substantially consists of ˜” means that the imaging lens may include not only the above-mentioned elements but also lenses substantially having no powers, optical elements, which are not lenses, such as a stop, and/or a cover glass, and mechanism parts such as a lens flange, a lens barrel, and/or a camera shaking correction mechanism.

It should be noted that the “lens group” is not necessarily composed of a plurality of lenses, but may be composed of only one lens. The above “˜ lens group having a positive refractive power” and “˜ lens group having a negative refractive power” each represent the sign of the refractive power of the corresponding lens group as a whole. Signs of refractive powers of the lens groups and signs of refractive powers of the lenses are assumed as those in paraxial regions in a case where some lenses have aspheric surfaces. All the conditional expressions are assumed to be in a state where the object at infinity is in focus. In addition, the conditional expressions are assumed to relate to the d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm, nm: nanometers) unless otherwise noted.

It should be noted that the partial dispersion ratio θgF between the g line and the F line of a certain lens is defined by θgF=(Ng−NF)/(NF−NC), where Ng, NF, and NC are the refractive indices of the lens at the g line, the F line, and the C line.

According to the present invention, the zoom lens consists of, in order from the object side, the first lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming, the plurality of movable lens groups that move during zooming, and the final lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary during zooming. In the zoom lens, one or more movable lens groups are set as negative lens groups, and the configuration of the first lens group is appropriately set, such that the predetermined conditional expressions are satisfied. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a zoom lens, which can be configured to have a small size while ensuring a high zoom ratio and has high optical performance by satisfactorily correcting chromatic aberration, and an imaging apparatus comprising the zoom lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating rays and the configuration of the zoom lens shown in FIG. 1, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, and the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a zoom lens of Example 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 1 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 2 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 3 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 4 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 5 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 6 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 7 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of aberrations of the zoom lens according to Example 8 of the present invention, where the upper part thereof shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part thereof shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part thereof shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state, and aberration diagrams of each state are spherical aberration diagram, astigmatism diagram, distortion diagram, and lateral chromatic aberration diagram in order from the left side.

FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lens configuration of a zoom lens at the wide-angle end according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the lens configurations of the zoom lens shown in FIG. 1 and rays of each configuration. In FIG. 2, the wide-angle end state is shown in the upper part indicated by “WIDE”, and rays are shown as on-axis rays wa and rays with the maximum angle of view wb. Further, the middle focal length state is shown in the middle part indicated by “MIDDLE”, and rays are shown as on-axis rays ma and rays with the maximum angle of view mb. In addition, the telephoto end state is shown in the lower part indicated by “TELE”, and rays are shown as on-axis rays to and rays with the maximum angle of view tb. The examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to the zoom lens of Example 1 to be described later. FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a state where the object at infinity is in focus, where the left side of the drawing is the object side and the right side of the drawing is the image side. Hereinafter, description will be given mainly with reference to FIG. 1.

In order to mount the zoom lens on an imaging apparatus, it is preferable to provide various filters and/or a protective cover glass based on specification of the imaging apparatus. Thus, FIG. 1 shows an example where an optical member PP, in which those are considered and of which the incident surface and the exit surface are parallel, is disposed between the lens system and the image plane Sim. However, a position of the optical member PP is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the optical member PP is omitted.

The zoom lens of the present embodiment substantially consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis Z: a first lens group G1 that remains stationary with respect to an image plane Sim during zooming and has a positive refractive power; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group Ge that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during zooming.

The zoom lens of an example shown in FIG. 1 substantially consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis Z, the first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, and a fourth lens group G4. During zooming, the first lens group G1 and the fourth lens group G4 remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, and the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 move by changing a relative distance therebetween in the direction of the optical axis. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 each correspond to the movable lens group, and the fourth lens group G4 corresponds to the final lens group Ge. In FIG. 1, under each of the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a direction of moving each lens group during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end is schematically indicated by an arrow.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first lens group G1 consists of eight lenses L11 to L18 in order from the object side. The second lens group G2 consists of four lenses L21 to L24 in order from the object side. The third lens group G3 consists of two lenses L31 and L32 in order from the object side. The fourth lens group G4 consists of nine lenses L41 to L49 in order from the object side. However, in the zoom lens of the present invention, the number of lenses composing each lens group is not necessarily limited to the example shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which an aperture stop St is disposed between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, but the aperture stop St may be disposed at another position. Further, the aperture stop St shown in FIG. 1 does not necessarily indicate its sizes and/or shapes, and indicates a position of the aperture stop St on the optical axis Z.

In the zoom lens of the present embodiment, by forming the first lens group G1 closest to the object side as a positive lens group, it is possible to shorten the total length of the lens system, and thus there is an advantage in reduction in size. By forming the final lens group Ge closest to the image side as the positive lens group, it is possible to suppress an increase in incident angle of the principal ray of the off-axis rays incident onto the image plane Sim. As a result, it is possible to suppress shading. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the lens group closest to the object side and the lens group closest to the image side remain stationary during zooming, it is possible to make the total length of the lens system unchanged during zooming.

The zoom lens is configured such that at least one movable lens group among the plurality of movable lens groups has a negative refractive power. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a high zoom ratio.

The first lens group G1 has two or more positive lenses, and one positive lens is disposed to be closest to the image side of the first lens group G1. Hereinafter, the positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side of the first lens group G1 is referred to as an image side positive lens. This zoom lens is configured to satisfy all of Conditional Expressions (1) to (5) relating to the image side positive lens. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 while achieving reduction in size by minimizing the number of lenses of the first lens group G1. In particular, it is possible to satisfactorily correct longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side and chromatic aberration caused by the on-axis marginal ray in the first lens group G1. In the lens system described in JP2015-94866A described above, there is a problem that the F number on the telephoto side increases because the on-axis marginal ray is shielded by using members other than the aperture stop on the telephoto side so as not to cause large longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side. In contrast, it is possible to prevent occurrence of the problem according to the zoom lens of the present embodiment since it is possible to satisfactorily correct longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side. 0.25<fl/fz<0.7  (1) 55<νz<68  (2) 15<νmx−νz<50  (3) 2.395<Nz+0.012×νz  (4) 0.634<θgFz+0.001625×νz<0.647  (5)

Here, fl is a focal length of the first lens group,

fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens,

νz is an Abbe number of the image side positive lens at the d line,

νmx is an Abbe number of a positive lens, of which the Abbe number at the d line is at a maximum value, among positive lenses disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens at the d line,

Nz is a refractive index of the image side positive lens at the d line, and

θgFz is a partial dispersion ratio of the image side positive lens between the g line and the F line.

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (1) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being excessively corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being insufficiently corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (1), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (1-1) is satisfied. 0.35<fl/fz<0.65  (1-1)

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (2) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (2) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (2), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (2-1) is satisfied. 56<νz<65  (2-1)

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (3) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (3) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (3), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (3-1) is satisfied. 30<νmx−νz<45  (3-1)

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (4) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being insufficiently corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. Further, it is preferable that the imaging lens satisfies Conditional Expression (4-1). By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (4-1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side from being excessively corrected, and it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. 2.395<Nz+0.012×νz<2.455  (4-1)

By satisfying Conditional Expression (2) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (5) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being excessively corrected. By satisfying Conditional Expression (2) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (5) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being insufficiently corrected.

It is preferable that the zoom lens satisfies Conditional Expression (6). 1.2<ft/fl<2.8  (6)

Here, ft is a focal length of the whole system at the telephoto end, and

fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (6) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively weak, and it is possible to minimize the length of the first lens group G1 in the direction of the optical axis. As a result, there is an advantage in reduction in size. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (6) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively strong. As a result, it becomes easy to correct aberrations occurring in the first lens group G1. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (6), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (6-1) is satisfied. 1.5<ft/fl<2.5  (6-1)

It is preferable that the zoom lens satisfies Conditional Expression (7). 0.1<fw/fl<0.4  (7)

Here, fw is a focal length of the whole system at the wide-angle end, and fl is a focal length of the first lens group.

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (7) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively weak, and it is possible to minimize the height of the off-axis rays from the optical axis Z. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the lens. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (7) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the refractive power of the first lens group G1 from being excessively strong. As a result, it becomes easy to correct aberrations occurring in the first lens group G1. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (7), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (7-1) is satisfied. 0.11<fw/fl<0.35  (7-1)

The zoom lens may be configured to perform focusing by moving one or more lenses in the first lens group G1 in the direction of the optical axis. As described above, focusing is performed by using a lens closer to the object side than a lens group moving during zooming, and thus it becomes easy to suppress the shift of focus during zooming.

For example, the first lens group G1 of the example shown in FIG. 1 substantially consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a that has a negative refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during focusing, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b that has a positive refractive power and moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing, and a first lens group rear group G1 c that is set such that a distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group rear group G1 c and the first lens group intermediate group G1 b changes during focusing and has a positive refractive power. In a case of adopting such a configuration, it becomes easy to suppress change in the angle of view caused by focusing. In FIG. 1, both arrows below the first lens group intermediate group G1 b indicate that the first lens group intermediate group G1 b is movable in the directions of the optical axis during focusing.

In addition, the first lens group rear group G1 c may remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim during focusing. In such a case, the lens groups, which move during focusing, can be composed of a number of only the first lens group intermediate group G1 b, and it is possible to simplify the focusing mechanism. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the apparatus. Alternatively, the first lens group rear group G1 c may move in the direction of the optical axis along a locus different from that of the first lens group intermediate group G1 b during focusing. In such a case, it is possible to suppress fluctuation in aberration during focusing.

In a case where the first lens group G1 has the three lens groups, it is preferable to satisfy Conditional Expression (8). 0.5<flc/fz<0.7  (8)

Here, flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group, and

fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens.

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (8) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being excessively corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being excessively corrected. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (8) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration from being insufficiently corrected, and particularly, it is possible to prevent longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side from being insufficiently corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (8), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (8-1) is satisfied. 0.55<flc/fz<0.68  (8-1)

In the case where the first lens group G1 has the three lens groups, it is preferable that the first lens group front group G1 a has at least one negative lens that satisfies Conditional Expressions (9) and (10). In such a case, it is possible to reduce load of correction of chromatic aberration in the lens groups subsequent to the first lens group front lens group G1 a. As a result, it is possible to satisfactorily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1. 55<νn  (9) 0.635<θgFn+0.001625×νn<0.675  (10)

Here, νn is an Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group front group at the d line, and

θgFn is a partial dispersion ratio of the negative lens of the first lens group front group between the g line and the F line.

By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (9) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to satisfactorily correct lateral chromatic aberration on the wide-angle side and longitudinal chromatic aberration on the telephoto side. Further, it is preferable that the imaging lens satisfies Conditional Expression (9-1). In a case where the result of Conditional Expression (9-1) is equal to or greater than the upper limit, only the material having a low refractive index can be selected within the range of the existing optical material. As a result, it is difficult to ensure the negative refractive power necessary for achieving the wide angle in the first lens group front group G1 a. By not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (9-1) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to avoid such a problem. 55<νn<80  (9-1)

By satisfying Conditional Expression (9) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (10) to be equal to or less than the lower limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being insufficiently corrected. By satisfying Conditional Expression (9) and by not allowing the result of Conditional Expression (10) to be equal to or greater than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent secondary spectrum from being excessively corrected. In order to more enhance the effect of Conditional Expression (10), it is preferable that Conditional Expression (10-1) is satisfied. 0.635<θgFn+0.001625×νn<0.665  (10-1)

The first lens group front group G1 a may be configured to have, successively in order from a position closest to the object side, a negative meniscus lens concave toward an image side, and a negative lens concave toward the object side. In such a case, it is possible to obtain a negative refractive power necessary for achieving wide angle while suppressing occurrence of astigmatism. The lens closest to the image side in the first lens group front group G1 a may be a positive meniscus lens concave toward the image side. In such a case, it is possible to suppress occurrence of astigmatism on the wide-angle side. Further, it is also possible to satisfactorily correct spherical aberration, which is generated by the first lens group front group G1 a and has an over tendency on the telephoto side, particularly spherical aberration having a high order which is 5th order or more. As in the example of FIG. 1, the first lens group front group G1 a consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens, a negative lens, and a positive meniscus lens. These three lenses may be single lenses which are not entirely cemented. In such a case, it is possible to obtain a negative refractive power necessary for achieving wide angle while achieving reduction in size and suppressing occurrence of astigmatism.

It is preferable that the first lens group rear group G1 c has, successively in order from the object side, a cemented lens, in which a negative lens and a positive lens are cemented in order from the object side, and a positive lens. In such a case, it becomes easy to correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 and correct spherical aberration on the telephoto side. In addition, in the case where the first lens group rear group G1 c is configured to consist of, in order from the object side, a cemented lens, in which a negative lens and a positive lens are cemented in order from the object side, and a positive lens, it is possible to easily correct chromatic aberration of the first lens group G1 and correct spherical aberration on the telephoto side while achieving reduction in size.

Next, the plurality of movable lens groups will be described. In this plurality of movable lens groups, it is preferable that the movable lens group closest to the image side has a negative refractive power. In such a case, the movement stroke of the movable lens group located closer to the object side than the movable lens group closest to the image side can be set to be longer while minimizing the total length of the lens system. Thus, there is an advantage in achieving reduction in size and high zoom ratio.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of plural movable lens groups arranged between the first lens group G1 and the final lens group Ge is two, and these two movable lens groups also have negative refractive powers. In such a case, it is possible to realize a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio while simplifying the mechanism. The number of plural movable lens groups arranged between the first lens group G1 and the final lens group Ge may be three or more. For example, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to substantially consist of, in order from the object side, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a lens group having a negative refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power. In such a case, it is possible to realize a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio while suppressing occurrence of distortion on the wide-angle side and/or spherical aberration on the telephoto side. Alternatively, the plurality of movable lens groups may be configured to substantially consist of, in order from the object side, a lens group having a negative refractive power, a lens group having a positive refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power. In such a case, aberrations are easily corrected, and a zoom lens having a small size and a high zoom ratio can be realized.

The above-mentioned preferred configurations and/or available configurations each may be any combination, and it is preferable to appropriately selectively adopt the configuration in accordance with demands for the zoom lens. By appropriately adopting the configuration, it is possible to realize more favorable optical system. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a zoom lens, which has a small size while ensuring a high zoom ratio and has high optical performance by satisfactorily correcting chromatic aberration. It should be noted that the high zoom ratio described herein means 5.5 times or more.

Next, numerical examples of the zoom lens of the present invention will be described.

Example 1

A lens configuration of a zoom lens of Example 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an illustration method thereof is as described above. Therefore, repeated description is partially omitted herein. The zoom lens of Example 1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. In these four lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. Both the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are movable lens groups having negative refractive powers. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a that consists of three lenses and has a negative refractive power, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b that consists of two lenses and has a positive refractive power, and a first lens group rear group G1 c that consists of three lenses and has a positive refractive power. During focusing, the first lens group front group G1 a remains stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, the first lens group intermediate group G1 b moves, and the distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group intermediate group G1 b and the first lens group rear group G1 c changes.

Table 1 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 1, Table 2 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and Table 3 shows aspheric coefficients thereof. In Table 1, the column of Si shows a surface number i (i=1, 2, 3, . . . ) attached to an i-th surface of the elements, where i sequentially increases toward the image side in a case where an object side surface of an element closest to the object side is regarded as a first surface. The column of Ri shows a radius of curvature of the i-th surface. The column of Di shows a distance on the optical axis Z between the i-th surface and an (i+1)th surface. In Table 1, the column of Ndj shows a refractive index of a j-th (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) element at the d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm), where j sequentially increases toward the image side in a case where the element closest to the object side is regarded as the first element. The column of vdj shows an Abbe number of the j-th element at the d line. The column of θgFj shows a partial dispersion ratio of the j-th element between the g line and the F line.

Here, reference signs of radii of curvature of surface shapes convex toward the object side are set to be positive, and reference signs of radii of curvature of surface shapes convex toward the image side are set to be negative. Table 1 additionally shows the aperture stop St and the optical member PP. In Table 1, in a place of a surface number of a surface corresponding to the aperture stop St, the surface number and a term of (St) are noted. A value at the bottom place of Di indicates a distance between the image plane Sim and the surface closest to the image side in the table. In Table 1, the variable surface distances, which are variable during zooming, are referenced by the reference signs DD[ ], and are written into places of Di, where object side surface numbers of distances are noted in [ ].

In Table 2, values of the zoom ratio Zr, the focal length f of the whole system, the back focal length Bf in terms of the air conversion distance, the F number FNo., the maximum total angle of view 2ω, and variable surface distance are based on the d line. (°) in the place of 2ω indicates that the unit thereof is a degree. In Table 2, values in the wide-angle end state, the middle focal length state, and the telephoto end state are respectively shown in the columns labeled by WIDE, MIDDLE, and TELE. The values of Tables 1 and 2 are values in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

In Table 1, the reference sign * is attached to surface numbers of aspheric surfaces, and numerical values of the paraxial radius of curvature are written into the column of the radius of curvature of the aspheric surface. Table 3 shows aspheric coefficients of the aspheric surfaces of Example 1. The “E−n” (n: an integer) in numerical values of the aspheric coefficients of Table 3 indicates “×10−n”. The aspheric coefficients are values of the coefficients KA and Am (m=3, 4, 5, . . . 20) in aspheric surface expression represented as the following expression.

$\begin{matrix} {{Zd} = {\frac{C \times h^{2}}{1 + \sqrt{1 - {{KA} \times C^{2} \times h^{2}}}} + {\underset{m}{\Sigma}{Am} \times h^{m}}}} & {{Numerical}\mspace{14mu}{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 1} \end{matrix}$

Here, Zd is an aspheric surface depth (a length of a perpendicular from a point on an aspheric surface at height h to a plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis that contacts with the vertex of the aspheric surface),

h is a height (a length of a perpendicular, which is in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis that contacts with the vertex of the aspheric surface, from the point on the aspheric surface to the optical axis),

C is a paraxial curvature, and

KA and Am are aspheric coefficients.

In data of each table, a degree is used as a unit of an angle, and millimeter (mm) is used as a unit of a length, but appropriate different units may be used since the optical system can be used even in a case where the system is enlarged or reduced in proportion. Further, each of the following tables shows numerical values rounded off to predetermined decimal places.

TABLE 1 Example 1 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 370.38276 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 57.75739 26.80621  3 −152.87368 2.20000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  4 486.73340 0.39000  5 103.42182 4.56107 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 194.06007 6.98917  7 ∞ 6.83489 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  8 −128.10202 0.12000  9 371.48362 5.66802 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  10 −249.30474 9.12857  11 93.94676 2.19983 1.846660 23.88 0.6218  12 56.39558 16.02634 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  13 −130.65476 0.12000  14 72.96983 5.84576 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  15 264.75541 DD[15] *16 47.39581 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689  17 23.64140 7.04442  18 −51.14856 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  19 38.48116 5.84592  20 44.54062 5.58518 1.592701 35.31 0.5934  21 −55.99669 1.05000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  22 −270.02836 DD[22]  23 −39.56418 1.05000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  24 44.13413 4.04616 1.625882 35.70 0.5893  25 −177.97071 DD[25]  26 (St) ∞ 1.52068  27 134.91398 3.33963 1.916500 31.60 0.5912  28 −85.19407 0.20018  29 30.90160 8.07631 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  30 −41.69367 1.89903 1.910823 35.25 0.5822  31 85.64653 5.33750  32 36.30103 6.58324 1.749497 35.28 0.5870  33 −105.50860 0.99910  34 138.71124 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772  35 18.11707 9.50941 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  36 −111.49284 0.11910  37 39.11125 8.33426 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  38 −24.02071 2.00090 1.953748 32.32 0.5901  39 27.28562 18.99884  40 48.65552 4.69458 1.720467 34.71 0.5835  41 −182.07198 0.00000  42 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353  43 ∞ 34.04250

TABLE 2 Example 1 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.45 59.31 118.42 Bf 35.56 35.56 35.56 FNo. 3.32 3.32 3.32 2ω (°) 72.32 26.30 13.50 DD[15] 1.54 42.02 57.17 DD[22] 47.88 7.36 5.49 DD[25] 14.71 14.75 1.47

TABLE 3 Example 1 Surface Number 16 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 −1.4481371E−20 A4 −2.2097151E−06 A5 1.1906712E−06 A6 −2.1344004E−07 A7 1.2774506E−08 A8 1.1294113E−09 A9 −2.3286340E−10 A10 1.4115083E−11 A11 4.6903088E−13 A12 −1.7545649E−13 A13 9.6716937E−15 A14 6.5945061E−16 A15 −7.7270143E−17 A16 −2.4667346E−19 A17 2.3248734E−19 A18 −4.1986679E−21 A19 −2.5896844E−22 A20 7.5912487E−24

FIG. 10 shows aberration diagrams in a state where an object at infinity is brought into focus through the zoom lens of Example 1. In order from the left side of FIG. 10, spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and lateral chromatic aberration (lateral chromatic aberration) are shown. In FIG. 10, the upper part labeled by WIDE shows the zoom lens in the wide-angle end state, the middle part labeled by MIDDLE shows the zoom lens in the middle focal length state, the lower part labeled by TELE shows the zoom lens in the telephoto end state. In the spherical aberration diagram, aberrations at the d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm), the C line (a wavelength of 656.3 nm), the F line (a wavelength of 486.1 nm), and the g line (a wavelength of 435.8 nm) are respectively indicated by the black solid line, the long dashed line, the chain line, and the gray solid line. In the astigmatism diagram, aberration in the sagittal direction at the d line is indicated by the solid line, and aberration in the tangential direction at the d line is indicated by the short dashed line. In the distortion diagram, aberration at the d line is indicated by the solid line. In the lateral chromatic aberration diagram, aberrations at the C line, the F line, and the g line are respectively indicated by the long dashed line, the chain line, and the gray solid line. In the spherical aberration diagram, FNo. indicates an F number. In the other aberration diagrams, co indicates a half angle of view.

In the description of Example 1, reference signs, meanings, and description methods of the respective data pieces are the same as those in the following examples unless otherwise noted. Therefore, in the following description, repeated description will be omitted.

Example 2

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 2. The zoom lens of Example 2 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

Table 4 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 2, Table 5 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 6 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 11 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE 4 Example 2 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 91.92719 2.53098 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 47.04979 22.24446  3 −170.66128 2.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  4 206.04456 0.38503  5 71.99393 4.45167 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 102.54612 6.82807  7 196.27328 2.20005 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  8 103.84467 11.12110 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  9 −171.05234 14.89014  10 96.08666 2.19923 1.854780 24.80 0.6123  11 58.74401 15.93330 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  12 −103.69633 0.12000  13 75.26293 6.27475 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  14 827.30524 DD[14] *15 72.65286 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689  16 25.93821 6.72575  17 −41.69691 1.05070 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  18 37.57713 4.48600  19 44.63168 5.32952 1.592701 35.31 0.5934  20 −52.52729 1.05090 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  21 −121.55768 DD[21]  22 −42.05800 1.04975 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  23 39.59542 4.12871 1.625882 35.70 0.5893  24 −246.96103 DD[24]  25 (St) ∞ 1.39983  26 140.44790 3.12682 1.916500 31.60 0.5912  27 −89.38492 0.20011  28 28.98877 8.21954 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  29 −42.61188 1.10000 1.910823 35.25 0.5822  30 90.28815 5.81177  31 39.25421 6.59993 1.749497 35.28 0.5870  32 −89.09971 1.37631  33 139.77728 1.13913 1.900433 37.37 0.5772  34 17.41563 9.99924 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  35 −724.38203 0.12001  36 29.98468 6.67820 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  37 −24.61428 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901  38 25.83563 20.39478  39 47.76648 5.13049 1.720467 34.71 0.5835  40 −176.41808 0.00000  41 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353  42 ∞ 34.52368

TABLE 5 Example 2 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.62 59.81 119.41 Bf 36.04 36.04 36.04 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.30 2ω (°) 71.86 26.08 13.40 DD[14] 1.00 41.46 56.83 DD[21] 49.91 8.08 4.34 DD[24] 12.04 13.41 1.78

TABLE 6 Example 2 Surface Number 15 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 0.0000000E+00 A4 −7.0268357E−07 A5 −2.8254006E−07 A6 1.9442811E−07 A7 −1.0869783E−08 A8 −6.5332158E−09 A9 1.0648429E−09 A10 8.0520025E−12 A11 −1.2814263E−11 A12 6.6704958E−13 A13 5.0970812E−14 A14 −5.3557213E−15 A15 −3.0887770E−18 A16 1.5245419E−17 A17 −4.1575720E−19 A18 −1.2158029E−20 A19 6.9438881E−22 A20 −8.1994339E−24

Example 3

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 3. The zoom lens of Example 3 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

Table 7 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 3, Table 8 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 9 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 12 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE 7 Example 3 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 179.73060 2.80000 1.882997 40.76 0.5668  2 57.51902 19.98932  3 −182.56446 2.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  4 156.29712 1.00000  5 89.75457 4.58961 1.922860 18.90 0.6496  6 161.94294 6.83969  7 227.04433 2.20000 1.693717 42.53 0.5721  8 104.53646 13.56898 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  9 −104.79903 8.44249  10 88.91022 2.20000 1.805181 25.42 0.6162  11 56.35834 14.33676 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  12 −212.00944 0.57436  13 90.10716 6.95580 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  14 −750.39403 DD [14] *15 59.64397 1.20000 1.902700 31.00 0.5943  16 28.07287 6.22761  17 −55.23848 1.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  18 39.20503 5.53307  19 46.62148 6.58080 1.592701 35.31 0.5934  20 −34.36365 1.20000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  21 −260.67806 DD [21]  22 −44.46367 1.20000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  23 64.72532 2.94300 1.625882 35.70 0.5893  24 −221.99664 DD [24]  25 (St) ∞ 1.60000  26 225.29353 2.92131 1.916500 31.60 0.5912  27 −75.69537 0.12000  28 33.19063 7.43192 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  29 −42.89577 1.50000 1.918781 36.12 0.5784  30 127.40865 6.99461  31 40.56322 7.82296 1.749497 35.28 0.5870  32 −113.63622 1.00008  33 166.07425 1.50000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772  34 18.91770 6.77468 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  35 −143.93112 1.23445  36 38.97329 8.62046 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  37 −28.03994 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901  38 24.50898 22.08922  39 43.14369 5.29015 1.628270 44.12 0.5704  40 −162.61439 0.00000  41 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353  42 ∞ 31.88502

TABLE 8 Example 3 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.71 60.06 119.92 Bf 33.40 33.40 33.40 FNo. 3.30 3.31 3.30 2ω (°) 71.42 25.92 13.34 DD [14] 1.05 45.79 62.89 DD [21] 54.63 8.29 4.17 DD [24] 13.18 14.78 1.80

TABLE 9 Example 3 Surface Number 15 KA 1.0000000E+00 A4 −5.4302541E−07 A6 2.3244121E−08 A8 −4.3760338E−10 A10 4.9556187E−12 A12 −3.5362900E−14 A14 1.5550030E−16 A16 −3.9877943E−19 A18 5.2706205E−22 A20 −2.5738294E−25

Example 4

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 4. The zoom lens of Example 4 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of one lens, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 1 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

Table 10 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 4, Table 11 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 12 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 13 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE 10 Example 4 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 89.55061 2.53098 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 46.20108 26.48567  3 −170.63384 2.20059 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  4 232.43449 0.39804  5 72.57068 4.47015 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 106.19898 9.28374  7 2685.83228 5.32667 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  8 −153.59919 14.66212  9 113.63731 2.16853 1.854780 24.80 0.6123  10 59.63066 15.98231 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  11 −90.12780 0.14311  12 70.15326 7.22393 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  13 661.14022 DD [13] *14 52.60017 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689  15 24.43846 7.35169  16 −41.94664 1.05070 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  17 37.98271 4.32904  18 43.08412 5.54251 1.592701 35.31 0.5934  19 −50.53315 1.05090 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  20 −188.16409 DD [20]  21 −40.22044 1.05085 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  22 45.33398 3.77263 1.625882 35.70 0.5893  23 −236.50416 DD [23]  24 (St) ∞ 1.40031  25 167.28051 3.05237 1.916500 31.60 0.5912  26 −82.28668 0.20010  27 29.42802 8.35992 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  28 −39.92973 1.11193 1.910823 35.25 0.5822  29 109.93898 5.82991  30 40.35878 6.58497 1.749497 35.28 0.5870  31 −84.78434 1.14152  32 135.35453 1.80010 1.900433 37.37 0.5772  33 17.94607 9.53921 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  34 −613.17875 0.38246  35 30.56287 6.55776 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  36 −23.83965 1.99868 1.953748 32.32 0.5901  37 25.94805 19.72576  38 46.63103 4.99544 1.720467 34.71 0.5835  39 −193.04666 0.00000  40 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353  41 ∞ 33.97254

TABLE 11 Example 4 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.40 59.15 118.09 Bf 35.49 35.49 35.49 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.30 2ω (°) 72.42 26.38 13.56 DD [13] 0.41 41.66 57.48 DD [20] 51.15 8.62 3.96 DD [23] 10.75 12.04 0.88

TABLE 12 Example 4 Surface Number 14 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 0.0000000E+00 A4 −7.0268357E−07 A5 −2.8254006E−07 A6 1.9442811E−07 A7 −1.0869783E−08 A8 −6.5332158E−09 A9 1.0648429E−09 A10 8.0520025E−12 A11 −1.2814263E−11 A12 6.6704958E−13 A13 5.0970812E−14 A14 −5.3557213E−15 A15 −3.0887770E−18 A16 1.5245419E−17 A17 −4.1575720E−19 A18 −1.2158029E−20 A19 6.9438881E−22 A20 −8.1994339E−24

Example 5

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 5. The zoom lens of Example 5 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. In these five lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. The second lens group G2 has a positive refractive power, the third lens group G3 has a negative refractive power, and the fourth lens group G4 has a negative refractive power. The three lens groups including the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 are respectively movable lens groups. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The signs of the refractive powers of three lens groups composing the first lens group G1 and the lens groups moving during focusing are the same as that of Example 1.

Table 13 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 5, Table 14 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 14 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE 13 Example 5 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 351.51134 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 58.96679 25.71058  3 −165.96934 2.60041 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  4 438.51863 0.38517  5 96.24927 3.97797 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 152.74199 7.45066  7 ∞ 7.63521 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  8 −131.92076 0.12000  9 409.13255 5.76407 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 10 −220.57814 7.99290 11 108.72751 2.20000 1.755199 27.51 0.6103 12 55.83386 14.41684 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 13 −168.55158 0.12000 14 73.70666 6.42934 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 15 597.12639 DD [15] 16 137.71857 2.63139 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 17 −1305.73558 DD [17] 18 87.40326 1.38000 1.834807 42.72 0.5649 19 30.33959 6.29623 20 −51.31471 1.05000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 21 48.76135 8.19661 22 68.58699 3.87635 1.698947 30.13 0.6030 23 −74.53716 1.06000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 24 −291.58007 DD [24] 25 −41.67152 1.05055 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 26 53.61308 3.93485 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 27 −158.08561 DD [27] 28 (St) ∞ 1.72135 29 112.40514 3.36815 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 30 −107.74797 0.20079 31 32.65637 7.66863 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 32 −44.13940 1.10000 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 33 146.04040 11.71151 34 88.13789 3.58259 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 35 −61.95479 0.99901 36 81.54848 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 37 20.55629 4.91890 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 38 122.56273 0.12011 39 27.72661 9.31235 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 40 −30.83758 1.99952 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 41 28.75987 20.68485 42 49.85885 4.26967 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 43 −342.76867 0.00000 44 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 45 ∞ 33.79607

TABLE 14 Example 5 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.84 60.43 120.65 Bf 35.31 35.31 35.31 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.31 2ω (°) 71.32 25.74 13.20 DD [15] 0.15 24.27 35.03 DD [17] 1.00 14.99 18.97 DD [24] 37.14 3.28 8.30 DD [27] 25.73 21.48 1.71

Example 6

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 6. The zoom lens of Example 6 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The present example is the same as Example 5 in terms of the signs of refractive powers of the lens groups, the lens groups moving during zooming, and the lens groups moving during focusing.

Table 15 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 6, Table 16 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 15 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE 15 Example 6 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 141.52029 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 52.25093 21.72306  3 −169.76115 2.60000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  4 227.38169 0.38500  5 82.77517 4.42635 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 124.35002 8.58347  7 327.66786 2.00000 1.755199 27.51 0.6103  8 118.32799 14.02000 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  9 −110.23986 9.77811 10 106.66417 2.22000 1.592701 35.31 0.5934 11 53.48612 16.28831 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 12 −149.79662 0.12001 13 82.59842 6.25291 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 14 756.00928 DD [14] 15 336.83164 2.18103 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 16 −474.99451 DD [16] 17 92.73731 1.38000 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 18 31.26761 6.12521 19 −41.83728 1.05000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 20 50.59877 4.82631 21 62.85436 4.13921 1.698947 30.13 0.6030 22 −71.03230 1.06003 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 23 −133.54667 DD [23] 24 −39.50225 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 25 33.98929 4.61700 1.625882 35.70 0.5893 26 −303.50782 DD [26] 27 (St) ∞ 1.40000 28 81.21019 3.54813 1.916500 31.60 0.5912 29 −126.01058 0.19910 30 30.62497 8.16831 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 31 −38.67212 1.10094 1.910823 35.25 0.5822 32 149.32004 9.64313 33 224495.80575 3.55897 1.749497 35.28 0.5870 34 −44.18529 1.00088 35 32.84667 1.10000 1.900433 37.37 0.5772 36 16.11826 5.42939 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 37 44.78303 0.12000 38 25.73387 7.06096 1.438750 94.66 0.5340 39 −28.99748 2.00000 1.953748 32.32 0.5901 40 32.42687 22.34713 41 46.93465 4.05539 1.720467 34.71 0.5835 42 843.22322 0.00000 43 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 44 ∞ 35.59573

TABLE 16 Example 6 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.81 60.36 120.52 Bf 37.11 37.11 37.11 FNo. 3.31 3.31 3.31 2ω (°) 71.30 25.82 13.26 DD [14] 1.00 27.09 39.25 DD [16] 1.00 15.00 18.97 DD [23] 46.61 7.17 3.58 DD [26] 15.08 14.43 1.89

Example 7

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 7. The zoom lens of Example 7 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, a fourth lens group G4, an aperture stop St, and a fifth lens group G5. In these five lens groups, the distances in the direction of the optical axis between groups adjacent to each other change during zooming. The second lens group G2 has a negative refractive power, the third lens group G3 has a positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group G4 has a negative refractive power. The three lens groups including the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 are respectively movable lens groups. The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group G1 a consisting of three lenses, a first lens group intermediate group G1 b consisting of two lenses, and a first lens group rear group G1 c consisting of three lenses. The signs of the refractive powers of three lens groups composing the first lens group G1 and the lens groups moving during focusing are the same as that of Example 1.

Table 17 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 7, Table 18 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, Table 19 shows aspheric coefficients, and FIG. 16 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the object at infinity is in focus.

TABLE 17 Example 7 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 271.02397 2.53000 1.772499 49.60 0.5521  2 53.66770 23.14907  3 −176.86065 2.20000 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  4 430.29449 0.39000  5 90.80833 5.23373 1.892860 20.36 0.6394  6 172.69777 7.52493  7 ∞ 5.76344 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  8 −157.36129 0.12000  9 432.45221 4.57630 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  10 −351.96925 11.77482  11 105.41212 2.19983 1.846660 23.88 0.6218  12 57.91535 16.99595 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  13 −102.71103 0.12000  14 68.91116 6.18166 1.695602 59.05 0.5435  15 251.51097 DD [15] *16 48.87312 1.38000 1.854000 40.38 0.5689  17 23.92316 6.92527  18 −51.61678 1.04910 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  19 37.81667 DD [19]  20 45.09991 5.27163 1.592701 35.31 0.5934  21 −57.23178 1.05000 1.592824 68.62 0.5441  22 −271.05488 DD [22]  23 −42.52742 1.05000 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  24 52.07641 3.85263 1.625882 35.70 0.5893  25 −137.87042 DD [25]  26 (St) ∞ 1.47098  27 125.78267 3.21681 1.916500 31.60 0.5912  28 −97.17131 0.20021  29 30.88167 7.64434 1.496999 81.54 0.5375  30 −44.27610 1.10005 1.910823 35.25 0.5822  31 79.59338 5.66259  32 38.09474 6.60000 1.749497 35.28 0.5870  33 −103.42350 0.99912  34 128.80899 1.10081 1.900433 37.37 0.5772  35 19.22646 10.52353 1.632460 63.77 0.5421  36 −168.57645 0.12032  37 35.68369 8.40999 1.438750 94.66 0.5340  38 −24.74904 1.88371 1.953748 32.32 0.5901  39 26.58345 18.87835  40 48.89032 4.75127 1.720467 34.71 0.5835  41 −161.77170 0.00000  42 ∞ 2.30000 1.516330 64.14 0.5353  43 ∞ 33.69711

TABLE 18 Example 7 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 2.90 5.79 f 20.24 58.69 117.18 Bf 35.21 35.21 35.21 FNo. 3.32 3.32 3.32 2ω (°) 72.92 26.56 13.64 DD [15] 1.00 42.53 58.14 DD [19] 5.98 6.34 5.90 DD [22] 49.90 6.95 6.47 DD [25] 14.92 15.98 1.29

TABLE 19 Example 7 Surface Number 16 KA 1.0000000E+00 A3 −1.4481371E−20 A4 −2.2097151E−06 A5 1.1906712E−06 A6 −2.1344004E−07 A7 1.2774506E−08 A8 1.1294113E−09 A9 −2.3286340E−10 A10 1.4115083E−11 A11 4.6903088E−13 A12 −1.7545649E−13 A13 9.6716937E−15 A14 6.5945061E−16 A15 −7.7270143E−17 A16 −2.4667346E−19 A17 2.3248734E−19 A18 −4.1986679E−21 A19 −2.5896844E−22 A20 7.5912487E−24

Example 8

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a zoom lens of Example 8. The zoom lens of Example 8 consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, a third lens group G3, an aperture stop St, and a fourth lens group G4. The first lens group G1 consists of one negative lens and five negative lenses in order from the object side. During focusing, the first to third lenses from the object side of the first lens group G1 remain stationary with respect to the image plane Sim, and the fourth to sixth lenses from the object side of the first lens group G1 move in the direction of the optical axis. The sign of the refractive power of each lens group and the lens group moving during zooming are the same as those in Example 1.

Table 20 shows basic lens data of the zoom lens of Example 8, Table 21 shows values of specification and variable surface distances, and FIG. 17 shows aberration diagrams in a state where the infinite object is in focus.

TABLE 20 Example 8 Si Ri Di Ndj νdj θgFj  1 −126.95737 1.85000 1.806100 33.27 0.5885  2 149.63908 1.86353  3 162.56196 11.59799 1.433871 95.18 0.5373  4 −131.43557 0.12017  5 1767.38973 5.79391 1.433871 95.18 0.5373  6 −161.57632 6.93731  7 143.25520 6.97980 1.433871 95.18 0.5373  8 −501.53280 0.12020  9 102.71367 7.30164 1.632460 63.77 0.5421 10 −1279.18292 0.12015 11 52.36368 5.22130 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 12 90.12596 DD [12] 13 37.28114 0.80009 2.001003 29.13 0.5995 14 12.29686 5.14881 15 −79.05024 0.81066 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 16 55.48025 1.25321 17 −118.87335 6.29787 1.808095 22.76 0.6307 18 −11.60294 0.89994 1.860322 41.97 0.5638 19 139.16815 0.12024 20 29.45305 4.40793 1.557208 50.70 0.5593 21 −32.29232 0.13997 22 −29.68924 0.91777 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 23 −137.49811 DD [23] 24 −26.11338 2.94239 1.731334 29.25 0.6006 25 −16.28232 0.80762 1.695602 59.05 0.5435 26 −130.41228 DD [26] 27 (St) ∞ 1.85032 28 −375.35251 3.66853 1.703851 42.12 0.5727 29 −38.57852 0.17412 30 74.45483 6.67860 1.516330 64.14 0.5353 31 −29.71279 1.20210 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 32 −69.95930 34.66041 33 234.07781 4.99625 1.517417 52.43 0.5565 34 −40.81314 0.50000 35 40.64186 5.85957 1.487490 70.24 0.5301 36 −46.57752 1.20022 1.806100 33.27 0.5885 37 34.79196 1.36577 38 41.96142 8.49290 1.496999 81.54 0.5375 39 −20.65900 1.57625 1.882997 40.76 0.5668 40 −136.64621 1.50826 41 99.48573 5.34307 1.595509 39.24 0.5804 42 −34.92679 0.00000 43 ∞ 33.00000 1.608589 46.44 0.5666 44 ∞ 13.20000 1.516329 64.05 0.5346 45 ∞ 10.40601

TABLE 21 Example 8 WIDE MIDDLE TELE Zr 1.00 8.00 17.30 f 7.98 63.86 138.11 Bf 39.63 39.63 39.63 FNo. 1.86 1.86 2.46 2ω (°) 73.62 9.68 4.52 DD [12] 0.76 39.97 45.07 DD [23] 47.38 3.44 7.40 DD [26] 5.62 10.35 1.29

Table 22 shows values corresponding to Conditional Expressions (1) to (10) of the zoom lenses of Examples 1 to 8. The values shown in Table 22 are values at the d line.

TABLE 22 Expression Number Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Example 8 (1) f1/fz 0.46 0.58 0.62 0.61 0.55 0.54 0.50 0.36 (2) νz 59.05 59.05 59.05 59.05 63.77 59.05 59.05 59.05 (3) νmx − νz 35.61 35.61 35.61 35.61 30.89 35.61 35.61 36.13 (4) Nz + 0.012 × νz 2.404 2.404 2.404 2.404 2.398 2.404 2.404 2.404 (5) θgFz + 0.001625 × νz 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.646 0.639 0.639 0.639 (6) ft/f1 1.79 1.75 1.66 1.74 1.67 1.68 1.73 2.27 (7) fw/f1 0.31 0.30 0.29 0.30 0.29 0.29 0.30 0.13 (8) f1c/fz 0.59 0.60 0.67 0.63 0.67 0.59 0.59 (9) νn 59.05 63.77 63.77 59.05 59.05 59.05 59.05 (10)  θgFn + 0.001625 × νn 0.639 0.646 0.646 0.639 0.639 0.639 0.639

As can be seen from the above data, each zoom lens of Examples 1 to 8 can be configured to have a small size since the number of lenses of the first lens group G1 is restricted to 6 to 8, which is relatively small. Therefore, the zoom ratio is in a range of 5.79 to 17.3 such that the high zoom ratio is ensured, and various aberrations including chromatic aberration are satisfactorily corrected, whereby high optical performance is realized.

Next, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus 10 using the zoom lens 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention as an example of an imaging apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention. Examples of the imaging apparatus 10 include a movie imaging camera, a broadcast camera, a digital camera, a video camera, a surveillance camera, and the like.

The imaging apparatus 10 comprises a zoom lens 1, a filter 2 which is disposed on the image side of the zoom lens 1, and an imaging element 3 which is disposed on the image side of the filter 2. FIG. 18 schematically shows the first lens group front group G1 a, the first lens group intermediate group G1 b, the first lens group rear group G1 c, and the second to fourth lens groups G2 to G4 included in the zoom lens 1. The imaging element 3 captures an optical image, which is formed through the zoom lens 1, and converts the image into an electrical signal. For example, charge coupled device (CCD), complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the like may be used. The imaging element 3 is disposed such that the imaging surface thereof is coplanar with the image plane of the zoom lens 1.

The imaging apparatus 10 also comprises a signal processing section 5 which performs calculation processing on an output signal from the imaging element 3, a display section 6 which displays an image formed by the signal processing section 5, a zoom control section 7 which controls zooming of the zoom lens 1, and a focus control section 8 which controls focusing of the zoom lens 1. It should be noted that FIG. 18 shows only one imaging element 3, but the imaging apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a so-called three-plate imaging apparatus having three imaging elements.

The present invention has been hitherto described through embodiments and examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and examples, and may be modified into various forms. For example, values such as the radius of curvature, the surface distance, the refractive index, the Abbe number, and the aspheric coefficient of each lens are not limited to the values shown in the numerical examples, and different values may be used therefor.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   -   1: zoom lens     -   2: filter     -   3: imaging element     -   5: signal processing section     -   6: display section     -   7: zoom control section     -   8: focus control section     -   10: imaging apparatus     -   G1: first lens group     -   G1 a: first lens group front group     -   G1 b: first lens group intermediate group     -   G1 c: first lens group rear group     -   G2: second lens group     -   G3: third lens group     -   G4: fourth lens group     -   G5: fifth lens group     -   Ge: final lens group     -   L11 to L18, L21 to L24, L31 to L32, L41 to L49: lens     -   PP: optical member     -   Sim: image plane     -   St: aperture stop     -   ma, ta, wa: on-axis rays     -   mb, tb, wb: rays with maximum angle of view     -   Z: optical axis 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to an image plane during zooming; a plurality of movable lens groups that move by changing distances between groups adjacent to each other in a direction of an optical axis during zooming; and a final lens group that has a positive refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during zooming, wherein in the plurality of movable lens groups, at least one movable lens group has a negative refractive power, wherein the first lens group has an image side positive lens, which is a positive lens disposed to be closest to the image side, and one or more positive lenses which are disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens, and wherein all Conditional Expressions (1) to (5) are satisfied, 0.25<fl/fz<0.7  (1), 55<νz<68  (2), 15<νmx−νz<50  (3), 2.395<Nz+0.012×νz  (4), and 0.634<θgFz+0.001625×νz<0.647  (5), where fl is a focal length of the first lens group, fz is a focal length of the image side positive lens, νz is an Abbe number of the image side positive lens at the d line, νmx is an Abbe number of a positive lens, of which the Abbe number at the d line is at a maximum value, among positive lenses disposed to be closer to the object side than the image side positive lens, Nz is a refractive index of the image side positive lens at the d line, and θgFz is a partial dispersion ratio of the image side positive lens between the g line and the F line.
 2. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (6) is satisfied, 1.2<ft/fl<2.8  (6), where ft is a focal length of the whole system at a telephoto end.
 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (7) is satisfied, 0.1<fw/fl<0.4  (7), where fw is a focal length of the whole system at a wide-angle end.
 4. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein focusing is performed by moving one or more lenses in the first lens group in the direction of the optical axis.
 5. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein in the plurality of movable lens groups, a movable lens group closest to the image side has a negative refractive power.
 6. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group front group that has a negative refractive power and remains stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing, a first lens group intermediate group that has a positive refractive power and moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing, and a first lens group rear group that is set such that a distance in the direction of the optical axis between the first lens group rear group and the first lens group intermediate group changes during focusing and has a positive refractive power.
 7. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein Conditional Expression (8) is satisfied, 0.5<flc/fz<0.7  (8), where flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group.
 8. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group front group has at least one negative lens that satisfies Conditional Expressions (9) and (10), 55<νn  (9), and 0.635<θgFn+0.001625×νn<0.675  (10), where νn is an Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group front group at the d line, and θgFn is a partial dispersion ratio of the negative lens of the first lens group front group between the g line and the F line.
 9. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group rear group has, successively in order from the object side, a cemented lens which is formed by cementing a negative lens and a positive lens in order from the object side, and a positive lens.
 10. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein the first lens group rear group remains stationary with respect to the image plane during focusing.
 11. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (1-1) is satisfied, 0.35<fl/fz<0.65  (1-1).
 12. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (2-1) is satisfied, 56<νz<65  (2-1).
 13. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (3-1) is satisfied, 30<νmx−νz<45  (3-1).
 14. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (6-1) is satisfied, 1.5<ft/fl<2.5  (6-1), where ft is a focal length of the whole system at a telephoto end.
 15. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein Conditional Expression (7-1) is satisfied, 0.11<fw/fl<0.35  (7-1), where fw is a focal length of the whole system at a wide-angle end.
 16. The zoom lens according to claim 6, wherein Conditional Expression (8-1) is satisfied, 0.55<flc/fz<0.68  (8-1), where flc is a focal length of the first lens group rear group.
 17. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes a lens group having a negative refractive power and a lens group having a negative refractive power.
 18. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes, in order from the object side, a lens group having a positive refractive power, a lens group having a negative refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power.
 19. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of movable lens groups includes, in order from the object side, a lens group having a negative refractive power, a lens group having a positive refractive power, and a lens group having a negative refractive power.
 20. An imaging apparatus comprising the zoom lens according to claim
 1. 